‘These are the moments you work for’
From the rhythmic chants and healing chords in ancient civilizations to the modern-day practice of music therapy, music has long been celebrated as a universal language, transcending cultural boundaries.
The belief in music’s healing power continues to resonate and the therapeutic benefits of music are increasingly recognized in clinical settings and everyday life.
Kansas City music teacher Laura Blankenship graduated from Drury University with a Bachelor’s in Music Therapy, and she believes that music can be a powerful tool for sparking open-mindedness and kinship.
“It fosters social connection, it gives purpose, and it improves mood."Laura Blankenship
“It fosters social connection, it gives purpose, and it improves mood,” she said. “But it also requires a lot of cognitive tasks of learning the lyrics and singing the right melody, especially if you’re learning new songs. You have to learn how it goes, be in-time, and know where the breaks are. That’s all cognitive.”
Blankenship worked at Kansas City’s Center for Behavioral Medicine as a recreation/music therapist. There, Blankenship started a singing group and saw the firsthand impacts of music on those who are struggling with their mental health in the prison system.
“I would sing the first line, and then they would sing back to me. You have these people in very difficult situations… and they’re singing together,” she said.
Dr. Amy Robertson, Director of Music Therapy at UMKC Conservatory, often uses songwriting, lyric analysis, and instrumental music to promote well-being.
As a Fellow of the National Institute for Infant and Child Medical Music Therapy, Robertson studies the effect of music on premature infants. She uses lullabies to help them habituate and adapt to the environment.
“I’ve walked into a lot of (hospital) rooms where patients are upset, frustrated, or angry,” she said. “But the minute you start playing or singing, it changes. They start sharing, crying, singing, or dancing in their beds. That’s the ‘it.’"
Those are the moments you work for. And it’s so simple, it’s music.”
Her research indicates that on average, the babies under the care of a music therapist in the NICU discharge an average of 15 days faster.
"They start sharing, crying, singing, or dancing in their beds. That’s the ‘it.’"Dr. Amy Robertson
Setting and achieving goals
Lani Hamilton is an Assistant Professor of Music Education at UMKC Conservatory. She finds that musicians benefit from setting goals in their practice and acknowledging their successes.
“Musicians can use music as a source of well-being [in practice sessions] because they can say ‘Hey I wanna reach this goal’ and actually accomplish that,” she said. “It’s a better indicator of how people feel about their musicianship.”
Engaging in music, whether learning an instrument, singing, or participating in an ensemble, provides an outlet for emotions and a sense of accomplishment.
By facilitating these experiences, teachers and conductors act as catalysts for the therapeutic potential of music.
“As a music teacher, it’s hard for me to listen to music and feel relaxed. I feel like I’m analyzing and overthinking,” Hamilton admits “but there are pieces I can play that I absolutely adore. It’s being with the music… that is so incredibly lovely.”
So what music is best for relaxation?
Dr. Amy Robertson says that although the best music is the kind you prefer, “there has been research with classical music, and it has been shown to reduce stress and anxiety - more of the soothing, slower, softer classical music. It has positive results and can be a useful tool as well.”
However, no single style of music works for everyone. Music is deeply personal, and what resonates with one person might not have the same impact on another.
Even simple acts like singing in the shower, where you can let go and fully immerse yourself in the music, can benefit your health.
“To be in a community with other people and making music, getting together with your neighbor and making a little arrangement of a song you both love – how cool is that?” says Hamilton.
For more information on the link between music and the mind visit our Mindfulness Hub.
For more classical music recommendations for any mood, check out Classical KC’s curated Spotify playlists.
